Years ago (about 45 ! ) I worked at May & Baker's,Dagenham, and could get FREE Promicrol film developer powder. Then it was discontinued as the factory supplying the 'HEAP Sulphate'stopped supplying as it was carcenogenic evidently. Some years ago Champion Photochemistry (as M & B became) started supplying a liquid form of Promicrol; I have been given some and find the times quoted for all the films I have tried result in quite high contrast negs; I think my themometer is accurate enough as I use it to process C41 and RA4. Have any of the Forum members tried the 'new' Promicrol , and what are your findings?

Got COMPUTERISED and 'slightly Digitised Pentax K10D' but FILM STILL RULES !

pentaxpete wrote:Years ago (about 45 ! ) I worked at May & Baker's,Dagenham, and could get FREE Promicrol film developer powder. Then it was discontinued as the factory supplying the 'HEAP Sulphate'stopped supplying as it was carcenogenic evidently. Some years ago Champion Photochemistry (as M & B became) started supplying a liquid form of Promicrol; I have been given some and find the times quoted for all the films I have tried result in quite high contrast negs; I think my themometer is accurate enough as I use it to process C41 and RA4. Have any of the Forum members tried the 'new' Promicrol , and what are your findings?

The Glycin used in the original stuff is quite expensive these days too.

Yes I have tried it. I was offered it when my local stockist was out of Ilford products last year - he said it was just like ID11! I remembered the old promicrol which I'd had good results from in the past so tried this new version.
I've been a bit disappointed and found results to be a bit grainy and contrasty although better with the delta films. But in searching for the experience of others via google I found a german website artgrey.de and they are recommending cutting development time by up to 20% and even developing at dilutions of 1:24. My initial tests of HP5 at 1:19 and 8mins at 24C were a revelation. Very sharp and fine grain.

Terry and others: found your replies, thanks all. Well, yesterday I developed some outdated Acupan 800 in it as recommended,1+14 for 19 mins and the negs came out very dense and contrasty and grain like golf balls! I will try higher dilutuions and less time as you proposed. Have the remains of one litre bottle to finish.

Got COMPUTERISED and 'slightly Digitised Pentax K10D' but FILM STILL RULES !

Some good news.
I have found a manufacturer who is able to supply N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-o-aminophenol sulfate.
I've ordered a Kg of this and can supply anyone who might be interested in making their own original Promicrol. (The latest version of Promicrol, which doesn't have N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-o-aminophenol sulfate is not a developer that I like)
You only need 6gms per litre (of N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-o-aminophenol sulfate). Assuming your developing tank takes 500mls - and if you go for the 1:3 dilution "one shot" of Promicrol (superb acutance with no perceptible increase in grain), then I litre will give 4 litres of working solution - ie 8 films can be developed from each litre. I can sell the N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-o-aminophenol sulfate for $25 per 100gms. (Plus postage) - That will develop over 100 36 exposure films. ie 25c per film (plus the cost of the glycin, sodium sulphite etc - ie very little).
The improved formula using Glycin, instead of Potassium bromide is:-

Ian Rivlin
PS Promicrol is a GENUINE speed increaser that gives ultra fine grain. It will give at least 50% increase in speed and 100 and 150% is more the mark. I regularly developed 400asa films to 1600asa and the results looked similar to 400asa film "normally" developed.

With Promicrol, the edge definition is superior as is the tonal separation. Promicrol develops Kodak Tech Pan film beautifully. (a 35mm frame can be enlarged to 16"x20" with virtually no apparent grain. The results with 100asa Fuji ACROS (Rated at 200asa) are stunning. There is outstanding shadow detail and the highlights hardly ever get blown out. You can easily play with the curves by just altering the inversion rate.
PPS. Promicrol can be used "neat" or diluted up to 1:10. At this dilution, the edge definition becomes really sharp. The grain slightly (I do mean slightly, not excessively) increases. - Similar to film, rated at twice the nominal speed and push developed in eg D76. With Promicrol, the good thing is that the contrast hardly alters. The developing times, at 1:10 are long though.

I'm in Australia. I haven't checked the availability of glycin but if it's not easily available, I'll swap you some HEAP for some glycin. I have to pay for the HEAP on this coming week and then wait for it to arrive. I expect I'll have it in the next three or four weeks. Then I have to test it to make sure it is genuine. (They claim 99.5% pure). There's no reason why it shouldn't be ok. 20 years ago a Japanese firm was prepared to make small quantities but the cost was prohibitive. ($8000 per kg). I checked the process of HEAP in the early 90's. It isn't super sophisticated. From memory it was one of the by-products of another organic phenolic. Let me have your email address and if and when the HEAP eventuates, I'll contact you.
Exciting to think that Promicrol might rise from the ashes eh? I still have about 12 original (plastic sealed) packets of Promicrol, so I can make a direct comparison between the original stuff and the home brew. It all depends on whether that formula I found is accurate. I'd love to find an ex employee of May and Baker who was involved in Promicrol manufacture and quiz him.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Ian

I can not import the chemical, because I do not have a "hazardous material import/export license". There must be a secure chain of custody for receiving and handling the medically toxic item. The only way that I can get it, is to hire a company to receive it and transport it, via the FDA guide lines. It is on the list that the FDA has and I can not legally have it imported without going through a licensed importer.

But here is the catch, what I find locally in the states is OK. So if the stuff is already in the US, and I can obtain it with a business license and a proper container to secure it. Non-commercial amounts allowed is 1 oz., approx 30 grams, with records showing proper disposal. Larger amounts require FDA and DEA approval. You must submit a form, and let them know the status and amount levels on hand; until it reaches 1 oz., then you have to submit a copy of usage of the amounts used, and showing proper disposal of chemical, prior to reaching the 1 oz mark. Any thing less, will get you a large fine.

It is a lot of work and hoops to jump through and I will pass on this one. I will look around locally. I remember that Ansco and Agfa, use that chemical in their color film and paper processing. So maybe I will come across some NOS items.

If you still want the Glycin, no problem, just pay for shipping and handling, and I will send you 30 grams. That seems to be the safe amount allowed, I think.

I'm told that glycin only has a shelf life of 6 months. Have you any information on that? Apparently it starts off as a light color and then goes brown (oxidizes) at which point it loses its efficacy. Ian

Yes, that is true. But here is the 411 on Glycin. Do not order Glycin in the summer or warm months, because it get beat hard with the heat during shipment. Order it in the cold months, and once it arrives, place it in the freezer.